Getting agile
Friday, February 01 2008
Agility is a sport that relies on a combination of speed, coordination and control.
All shapes, sizes and breed of dog can enjoy agility. As long as they are over a year old (to ensure their joints have developed), are fit, the correct weight and have a good basic standard of obedience you can get started right away. Some breeds, such as giants and long-backed breeds, might not be best suite
d – look at the websites listed at the end for more information. Most importantly, you need to be prepared to put in lots of regular training and hard work.
Agility involves a handler directing their dog through an obstacle course with accuracy in a race against time. The dog is guided around the course by the handler’s voice, movements and body signals. The owner cannot touch the dog or the jumps or obstacles, and no treats or toys can be used as incentives.
The course usually has a range of jumps, an A-frame, a seesaw (or teeter-totter), tunnels, weave poles, and a pause box or pause table. There are strict rules to ensure each obstacle is taken correctly, for example the dog must keep contact with the A-frame (pictured, left) or seesaw until they reach the painted line before leaping off, or entering the weave poles from the left. Points are deducted for various faults such as slow speed, runouts, dropped bars and refusals, making it very difficult to get a fast, clear round.
Creating a bond
Agility training often helps to really bond a dog and its owner; it is ultimately a relationship-building exercise. It also provides a natural outlet for working types of dog. Giving dogs a chance to perform a behaviour that comes naturally to them, such as herding or chasing, can satisfy the breed’s natural instincts.
Agility also relies on obedience – following instructions to the letter – and results in mental stimilation. It creates a close partnership because every movement and gesture from the owner counts as a command. Both members of the partnership learn a lot about the other.
Ryan Neile, animal behaviourist at The Blue Cross, is keen to promote agility as a great option for dog owners: “If a dog has a disposition to chase joggers, which of course isn’t socially acceptable, try them with agility. It will give them the opportunity to behave as they wish but in a controlled environment.”
Gladys and Skippy Beau Bounce
Originally Gladys was visiting Hertfordshire adoption centre to see the pups in the pen next door to Skip’s, but as soon as she saw Skip (pictured, left) bouncing up and down, it was clear this little dog was the one for her. It was Skip’s lively temperament that meant she too would enjoy agility. Skip is a long-legged Jack Russell terrier cross breed.
Gladys knew how to choose the right dog for her: “I love terrier cross breeds for their exuberance. They are so bouncy, keen and excitable. In Skip, I knew I could channel that into a great agility dog.”
Skip is nearly six years old now and Gladys has owned her from just a few months. She and Skip have been competing in agility for The Blue Cross for over four years now, her first show being Crufts. They’ve achieved a great deal together.
Gladys discovered agility at the obedience training they attended together. It was recommended as a great way to socialise for both the owners and the dogs. After attending a few classes she was hooked on the fun, competition and sense of achievement.
Both Skip and Gladys enjoy agility not just because of the socialising that is involved, but also the excitement it creates. Skip is a very friendly dog and some of this is due to how many dogs he has met through agility. It also means that he is amazingly well-trained and looks to Gladys for commands, both voice and body language, as a matter of instinct.
Jill and Pepper
Jill started agility in 1994 with her first Blue Cross dog Bumble, a German shepherd crossbreed. Jill says: “I love agility. It’s great to see the dogs enjoying themselves so much and you bond with your dog so well. When the training pays off and you get it right in the competition ring it’s very satisfying.”
After having a taste of success with Bumble, she decided to get another Blue Cross dog. She found Pepper (picutred, left and top right), a Labrador crossbreed, at the Hertfordshire adoption centre in 1995. Jill then began competing with Pepper when she was 18 months old (the minimum age for competition).
Jill has had great success with Pepper, winning 34 trophies and hundreds of rosettes. They performed their first rescue dog agility display at Crufts and then continued to attend at Crufts, the Wag and Bone Show and Discover Dogs in the years after. Jill has nothing but praise for her talented partner: “Pepper is a clever and responsive dog, who is a pleasure to teach. When I take her out people always comment on how well behaved she is.
“Pepper is now 11 years old and although she is still competing very well, she will probably have to retire soon but I’ve taken on another Blue Cross dog, called Murphy, who is keeping me busy training. He’s a bit more ‘laid back’ about life than my other dogs so training is proving to be a bit of a challenge!”
A list of training clubs around the country can be found on
Agilitynet, or visit the
Kennel Club website for more information.